Holiday Presents for the Soccer World

My apologies for taking the easy way out this week with the cliche holiday column. Just be glad I didn’t decide to write a “Holiday Letter!”. Anyway, here’s my holiday shopping list for prominent folks in American (and Canadian) soccer from A-Z.

Andrew Hauptman: Wisdom to hire a coach with knowledge of MLS players and respect for the Fire’s history and tradition.

Gavin Wilkinson: A contract extension that would assure the Portland Timbers Head Coach the same role in MLS as the minor league team follows its Washington neighbor into MLS in 2011. Though it’s beginning to look like Santa has a Scotsman in his sack.

Holt, Tim: Peace between Tim’s USL1 and the new US 2nd Division NASL, which has stolen most of the USL President’s USL1 teams. Oh nevermind, I’ll just get him Peace on Earth instead - it’ll be a lot easier (See North American Soccer League).

North American Soccer League: A ruling by US Soccer to sanction the new US 2nd Division League and give the owners who have invested millions of dollars into the sport the autonomy they deserve (See Holt, Tim).

Onstad, Pat: A healthy season and a Western Conference Final playoff appearance for the veteran Houston Dynamo goalkeeper (See Zach Thornton).

Piotr Nowak the coach needs Piotr Nowak the player.

Piotr Nowak: An international player that can lead the expansion team he coaches as well as Peter Nowak the MVP of the expansion team he played for…oh, and Teal Bunbury.

Peter Wilt has run professional soccer teams for 25 years and has won six championship rings, including four with the Chicago Fire, in three professional soccer leagues. He likes to write about soccer, history and people. Peter is on Twitter @PeterWilt1.